A PE-backed logistics provider needed experienced financial leadership to sustain momentum through a CFO transition.
How Leverage provided fractional CFO leadership, secured approval of the 2026 operating plan, strengthened financial management, and supported a successful transition to a permanent CFO.
2026
approved operating plan
YoY
Profitability improved
CFO
leadership transition
FP&A
reporting & incentive alignment
Client
Private equity-backed logistics provider
Sector
Logistics and supply chain services
Location
United States
Scope
Fractional CFO leadership and financial transformation
Services
Financial & M&A advisory; fractional executive leadership
A finance leadership transition during PE-backed growth.
A founder-led logistics provider had recently entered a new phase under private equity ownership. Leadership was focused on EBITDA growth, margin improvement, market expansion, and the financial discipline needed to support a more scalable business.
While searching for a permanent CFO, the company needed experienced financial leadership immediately. Leverage stepped into the role to maintain momentum on business planning, performance reporting, capital decisions, and priorities shared with its PE sponsor.
What stood in the way, and what we were asked to deliver.
What stood in the way
-
Leadership continuity
An open CFO position created a need for immediate financial direction without slowing critical decisions. -
Investor-grade reporting
Financial planning, overhead allocation, and profitability visibility needed greater consistency and rigor. -
Capital allocation pressure
Growth and facility investment decisions required clearer cash flow forecasts, liquidity insight, and return expectations. -
Operating alignment
Management needed to connect pricing, margin priorities, and incentives to the PE-backed business plan.
What we were asked to deliver
-
Maintain financial leadership
Provide continuity and experienced decision support while the company recruited a permanent CFO. -
Strengthen planning and reporting
Establish more disciplined financial management and an operating plan aligned with the PE sponsor. -
Improve cash and investment visibility
Support liquidity planning and capital decisions tied to growth, facilities, and financing. -
Prepare for sustainable growth
Connect financial and operational priorities while improving readiness for expansion and potential M&A.
Bringing financial discipline to PE-backed growth
Leverage served as fractional CFO and worked alongside management to strengthen planning, financial visibility, accountability, and investment decision-making during the leadership transition.
Business planning and investor reporting
Led development of the 2026 operating plan with management and secured approval from the PE sponsor. Strengthened monthly FP&A, overhead allocation, management reporting, and fully allocated P&L management to improve performance visibility.
Cash flow and capital management
Supported cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning to improve financial control. Evaluated financing options and capital allocation considerations associated with growth, facility investments, and expected returns.
Financial and operational accountability
Partnered with leadership on pricing, margin improvement, and operating priorities to connect financial analysis to day-to-day decisions. Realigned corporate bonus structures with the annual plan and key milestones to reinforce accountability.
Growth and M&A readiness
Supported acquisition assessment, diligence considerations, and financial readiness as the company explored higher-value markets. Strengthened the financial foundation for future growth opportunities while leadership evaluated potential transactions.
Leverage kept financial decisions and PE priorities moving through a critical CFO transition—leaving the business with stronger planning discipline, accountability, and a clearer foundation for growth.
What the client got.
Sponsor-approved 2026 business plan
The company secured PE sponsor approval of its 2026 operating plan, providing a defined framework for financial targets and management accountability.
Stronger financial management
Improved FP&A discipline, management reporting, overhead allocation, and fully allocated P&L visibility supported better-informed decisions and clearer business performance tracking.
Improved profitability and alignment
The company reported significant year-over-year profitability improvement. Corporate incentives were also realigned to annual-plan objectives and operational milestones.
Successful permanent CFO transition
The company completed its transition to a permanent CFO with a more structured approach to financial reporting, planning, and operational decision-making.
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